JP2786524B2 - Feeding line switching circuit for undersea branching device and method for feeding power in undersea cable communication system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Summary] A feed line switching circuit of an underwater branching device in a submarine cable communication system that performs communication between three or more landing stations by branching a submarine cable in the sea, and this feed line switching circuit Regarding the power supply method using, even if a failure occurs in any of the submarine cables connected to the undersea branch device, communication can be restored between the remaining cables, and the power supply path set will be as far as possible at both ends, and The purpose of the present invention is to make the power supply path setting procedure relatively simple, and to prevent the set power supply path from changing even if a fault occurs on the cable during operation. The first, second, and the like for connecting the electric path in a Y-shape and connecting each end to the power supply path of the submarine cable.
In the power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branching device in which the third connection terminals are respectively arranged, the first relay, the driving unit of which is the first relay, is provided.
And the switching section connects the second connection terminal to the second
And a second relay whose drive unit is disposed on the second electric path and whose switching unit disconnects the third connection terminal from the third electric path to ground. A third relay having a drive unit disposed on the third electric path, and a switching unit for disconnecting the first connection terminal from the first electric path and grounding the relay; The first, second, and third relays are configured so that the operating currents of the first, second, and third relays are in the same direction as viewed from the connection point of the mold electric paths.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply line switching circuit of a submarine branching device in a submarine cable communication system for performing communication between three or more landing stations by branching a submarine cable in the sea, and this power supply line switching circuit. The present invention relates to a power supply method using the method.

In a submarine cable communication system, especially an optical submarine cable communication system, an optical repeater is attached to an optical submarine cable at intervals, and the optical repeater generates a DC constant current through a feed line in the optical submarine cable. Powered. This power supply method includes one-end power supply in which power is supplied only from one landing station and both-end power supply in which power is supplied from two land stations. It is desirable that the power supply line can be switched so that the power supply line that is reset even in the event of a failure in the power supply line is a power supply line at both ends as much as possible.

[Prior Art] FIG. 18 shows an example of an optical submarine cable communication system using single-end feeding. As shown, landing station A and landing station B
The optical submarine cable OMC connects the optical submarine cable OMC, and the optical submarine cable OMC has optical repeaters REP arranged at predetermined intervals and an undersea branching unit BU. The undersea branching unit BU is an optical submarine cable. The OMC is branched to enable communication with three or more landing stations.

In the system shown in FIG. 18, the power supply line of the optical submarine cable OMC from each of the landing stations A, B, and C is grounded underwater at the underwater branching unit BU. Thereby, the power supply path between the power supply device of the landing station A and the underwater branching device BU, the power supply line between the power supply device of the landing station B and the undersea branching device BU, and the power supply line of the landing station C and the underwater branching device BU. Are independently formed, and each feed line is a single-end power supply that is supplied only from the landing station A side, only from the landing station B side, or only from the landing station C side. I have.

In this single-ended power supply system, if the power supply device of the landing station fails, it is impossible to supply power from another power supply device of the landing station in place of the failed power supply device. It is necessary to install a working power supply and a backup power supply at each landing station A and B, respectively.

FIG. 19 shows an example of an optical submarine cable communication system using power supply at both ends. As shown, landing station A and landing station B
The optical submarine cable OMC connects between them, and the optical repeater REP and the underwater branching unit BU are attached to this optical submarine cable OMC.
The underwater branching unit BU is different from the one-end power supply in that the power supply path of the optical submarine cable OMC is connected without grounding in the sea to form a power supply path between the landing stations A and B.

The power supply devices of the landing stations A and B are configured such that when one has a positive polarity, the other supplies a negative current.
Thus, power is supplied to the power supply path of the optical submarine cable OMC from both the landing stations A and B. In this two-sided feeding system,
Even if a failure occurs in one of the landing stations A and B and the power cannot be supplied, the power supply of the remaining landing station can supply the full load. A spare power supply device is not required at the station.

As described above, the single-sided power feeding method and the double-sided power feeding method are desirably the two-sided power feeding method from the viewpoints of reliability, economy, operating voltage, and the like.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic configuration of the underwater branching device. As shown, the underwater branching unit BU mainly includes an optical fiber circuit and a power supply circuit, and the optical fiber circuit is coupled to an optical fiber transmission line in the optical submarine cable, and the power supply circuit is connected to a power supply line in the optical submarine cable. Is done. The underwater branching unit BU accommodates three optical submarine cables, thereby enabling branching to three landing stations A, B, and C.
As shown in FIG. 21, as an optical fiber circuit,
Optical fiber branch circuit, optical repeater circuit + optical fiber branch circuit, optical fiber branch / switch circuit, optical repeater circuit + optical fiber branch / switch circuit, optical repeater circuit + multiplex conversion circuit,
A combination of an optical repeater circuit + optical fiber branching / switching circuit + multiplex conversion circuit is possible.

At present, in an optical submarine cable communication system that performs communication between three or more landing stations, a feed line is set by switching a feed line switching circuit in an undersea branching device under the control of the landing station,
Either one-end power or both-end power is supplied.

Various types of power supply line switching circuits have been proposed, for example, as shown in FIG.
No. 2, a power supply line switching circuit described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-200832, and FIG.
There is a power supply line switching circuit described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-189025.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The power supply line switching circuit described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-189025 in FIG.
If there is a failure somewhere on two specific cables (submarine cables to landing stations B or C) among the three submarine cables connected to the BU, the power supply path is switched and the remaining two cables are switched. It is possible to restore communication between the two submarine cables, but if a failure occurs on one specific cable (the submarine cable to landing station A), the power supply path between the remaining two cables Cannot be formed, and there is a problem that the system is down, that is, communication cannot be performed at all.

The feeder line switching circuit described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1-200832 of FIG. 23 is capable of providing a circuit between the remaining two submarine cables even if a failure occurs in any of the three submarine cables connected to the submarine branching unit BU. Can restore communication. However, since all power supply paths are configured to be grounded to the underwater earth by the underwater branching device, power from each landing station is only one-sided power supply, and thus there is a problem in system reliability.

The power supply line switching circuit described in JP-A-2-53332 in FIG. 22 can restore communication between the remaining two cables even if a failure occurs in any of the cables, similarly to the circuit described above. However, there is a problem that the power supply line switching circuit has a complicated circuit configuration and a complicated power supply line setting procedure.

The present invention has been made in view of the technical problems as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a communication between the remaining cables even if a fault occurs in any submarine cable connected to the undersea branching device. Communication can be restored, and the power supply line to be set is supplied at both ends as much as possible, the power supply line setting procedure is relatively simple, and even if a failure occurs on the cable during operation, the set power supply does not change Is to do so.

[Means for Solving the Problems] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the principle according to the present invention.

In order to achieve the above object, a feed line switching circuit of an undersea branching device according to the present invention includes, as a first embodiment, first, second, and third electric paths 101, 102, and 103 in a Y-shape ( However, the first, second, and third connection terminals 104, 105, and 105 for connecting to the power supply path of the submarine cable at each end by connecting in the form of an electric circuit and not a specific shape). In the power supply line switching circuit of the underwater branching device provided with the respective 106s, the first relay 107 whose driving unit 107L is disposed on the first electric path 101 and whose switching unit 107C connects the second connection terminal 105 to the second connection terminal 105. And a second relay 108 that is separated from the second electric path 102 and grounded.
The driving unit 108L is disposed on the second electric path 102, and the switching unit 108C connects the third connection terminal 106 to the third electric path 103.
And a third relay 109 whose drive unit 109L is disposed in the third electric path 103 and whose switching unit 109C disconnects the first connection terminal 104 from the first electric path 101. A Y-shaped electric path 10
The directions of the operating currents of the first, second, and third relays 107, 108, and 109 from the connection point of 1, 102, and 103 are the same.

In addition, the power supply line switching circuit of the underwater branching device according to the present invention, as a second embodiment, further includes a fourth relay 110 that is different from the first embodiment in that the driving unit 110L has a The first relay unit 110C is disposed on a ground path between the switching unit 107C of the first relay 107 and the ground in the path 102, and the first switch unit 110C forms a self-holding circuit, and the fifth relay 111 A part 111L is arranged on a ground path between the switching part 108C of the second relay 108 in the third electric path 103 and the ground, and the first switch part 111C forms a self-holding circuit. It is.

Furthermore, the feed line switching circuit of the undersea branching device according to the present invention, as a third mode, is further different from the second mode described above.
The sixth relay 112, the driving unit 112L of which is disposed on a ground path between the switching unit 109C of the third relay 109 and the ground in the first electric path 101, and the first switch unit 112C is self-holding. It is provided with what forms a circuit.

Furthermore, as a fourth mode, the undersea branching device according to the present invention is configured such that in the second mode, the fourth relay 110 connects the second electric path to the second relay 108 simultaneously with the first switch section 110C. A second switch unit (110CC) that opens between the drive unit 108L of the relay 107 and the switching unit 107C of the relay 107, and the fifth relay 111 is connected to the third electric circuit at the same time as the first switch unit 111C. To the drive of the third relay 109 and the relay 1
The second switch unit 111CC that is opened between the switching units 108C of 08
Is further provided.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a feed line switching circuit for an underwater branching device according to the third aspect includes the sixth aspect.
Of the first relay 107 and the relay 107 of the first relay 107 simultaneously with the first switch 112C.
And a second switch unit that opens between the switching units 109C.

The power supply method for a submarine cable communication system according to the present invention includes, as one mode, a power supply method in a submarine cable communication system in which three or more landing stations are connected by branching a submarine cable using an undersea branching device. The power supply device of the landing station includes a power supply polarity switching mechanism, and the power supply line switching circuit of the first, third, or fifth embodiment is used as a power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branch device. , The second and third connection terminals 104, 105, 106, after both ends are fed between the landing stations connected to any two connection terminals, the landing terminals connected to the remaining one connection terminal A power supply path is formed by performing one-sided power supply at the station.

The power supply method for a submarine cable communication system according to the present invention includes, as another embodiment, a power supply method in a submarine cable communication system in which three or more landing stations are connected by branching a submarine cable with an undersea branching device. The power supply device of the landing station includes a power supply polarity switching mechanism, and the power supply line switching circuit of the second or fourth embodiment is used as the power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branching device. After feeding both ends between the landing stations connected to the second connection terminals 104 and 105 or between the landing stations connected to the first and third connection terminals 104 and 106, the remaining one connection terminal is A power supply path is formed by supplying power at one end at the connected landing station, and if a failure occurs in power supply between the landing stations supplying power at both ends, a connection terminal connected to the faulty power supply path Landing station connected to the remaining two connection terminals In performing both ends feeding and forms a feeding path while disconnecting the faulty feeder line.

The power supply method for a submarine cable communication system according to the present invention further includes, as another form, a power supply method for a submarine cable communication system in which a submarine cable is branched by two or more undersea branching devices and four or more landing stations are connected. The power supply device of each landing station includes a power supply polarity switching mechanism, and the power supply line switching circuit of any one of the above-described first to fifth embodiments is used as the power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branch device, and the first connection Terminal 10
After a path connecting a plurality of power supply line switching circuits via a submarine cable connected to 4 is set as a main power supply line, and after both ends of power supply are performed between two landing stations connected via the main power supply line, , One-sided power supply from another landing station to form a power supply path.

Further, in the power supply method for a submarine cable communication system according to the present invention, in the power supply method for forming the main power supply path, the first relay and the second or third relay of the plurality of power supply path switching circuits have different operating currents. The first relay and the second or third relay of each power supply line switching circuit are sequentially driven by changing the power supply current flowing through the main power supply line.

Further, in the power supply method for a submarine cable communication system according to the present invention, in the power supply method for forming the main power supply path, the power supply path switching circuit according to the present invention as the power supply path switching circuit and a power supply path switching circuit having other circuit configurations Are used to form a power supply path.

[Operation] A basic power supply method using the power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branch device according to the first or third aspect of the present invention includes:
Normally, power is supplied to both ends between the landing stations connected to any two of the first, second, and third connection terminals 104, 105, and 106 of the power supply line switching circuit. The submarine cable power supply line connected to the remaining connection terminals by the relays on both ends of the power supply line is grounded to the underwater earth. After that, one-end feeding is performed at the landing station connected to the remaining one connection terminal, thereby forming a feeding path. Fourth, fifth,
When there is a sixth relay, a self-holding circuit is formed by this relay, and even if the power supply on both ends of the power supply path side is stopped,
The one-end feed path is not switched.

As a basic power supply method using the power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branch device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a land connected to the first and second connection terminals 104 and 105 of the power supply line switching device is used. Power is supplied to both ends between the landing stations or between the landing stations connected to the first and third connection terminals 104 and 106, whereby the third connection terminal 106 or the second connection terminal is switched by the switching unit 108C or 107C. The submarine cable connected to the connection terminal 105 is grounded to the underwater earth. After this, the remaining one connection terminal 106 or 1
A power supply path is formed by supplying power at one end at the landing station connected to 05. At this time, this one end power supply path is connected to the fifth relay 111.
Alternatively, it is held by the fourth relay 110 by itself. Furthermore, if a failure occurs in the power supply line between the landing stations that are supplying power at both ends, the failure occurs between the landing stations connected to the remaining two connection terminals other than the connection terminal connected to the faulty power supply line. A power supply path is formed while power is supplied to both ends to disconnect the faulty power supply path.

A case where the first, second, and third embodiments of the feed line switching circuit according to the present invention are used in a submarine cable communication system in which a submarine cable is branched by two or more underwater branching devices and four or more landing stations are connected. A main power supply path connecting a plurality of power supply path switching circuits via a submarine cable connected to a first connection terminal; and a path between two landing stations connected via the main power supply path. After the power is supplied at both ends, power is supplied from one of the other landing stations to form a power supply path.

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a power supply line switching circuit of an underwater branching device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is applied to an optical submarine cable communication system. In the drawing, only a feed line switching circuit excluding an optical fiber circuit is shown. This power supply line switching circuit is a three-way power supply that can secure a power supply line using the remaining two cables even if any of the three optical submarine cables connected to the undersea branch device has a fault. It is a switching type.

In FIG. 2, BU is an underwater branching device and has three connection terminals.
It has T1, T2, and T3, and the connection terminals T1, T2, and T3 are connected to the power supply devices of the landing stations A, B, and C via the power supply paths of the optical submarine cables, respectively. Here, the power supply devices of the landing stations A, B, and C are configured so that the polarity of the power supply current can be switched to either positive or negative to supply the power to the power supply path of the optical submarine cable.

As the power supply circuit of the undersea branching device BU, electric paths I, II,
III is connected in a Y-shape, and the connection terminals T1, T2, and T3 described above are connected to the ends of the electric paths I, II, and III, respectively. A drive coil of the relay RL1 (hereinafter, referred to as a relay coil RL1) is inserted into the electric path I, and a drive coil of the relay RL2 (hereinafter, referred to as the relay coil RL2) is inserted into the electric path II.
Is inserted, and a drive coil of the relay RL3 (hereinafter, referred to as a relay coil RL3) is inserted into the electric path III. Relay R
The switching contact rl1 of L1 is arranged between the connection terminal T2 and the relay coil RL2 in the electric path II, the break contact side of the switching contact rl1 is between the connection terminal T2 and the relay coil RL2, and the make contact side is grounded with the terminal T2. Inserted between. Similarly, relay RL
The second switching contact rl2 is inserted between the connection terminal T3 and the relay coil RL3 in the electric path III, the break contact side of the switching contact rl2 is connected between the connection terminal T3 and the relay coil RL3, and the make contact side is grounded with the connection terminal T3. Inserted between. Similarly, the switching contact rl3 of the relay RL3 is inserted between the connection terminal T1 and the relay coil RL1 in the electric path I, the break contact of the switching contact rl3 is connected between the connection terminal T1 and the relay coil RL1, and the make contact is connected. It is inserted between the connection terminal T1 and the ground.

Each of the relays RL1, RL2, RL3 is driven only when an operating current (sensing current) flows in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing. That is, it is driven when a current flows in the direction of each of the connection terminals T1, T2, and T3 as viewed from the connection point of the electric path connected in a Y-shape. As the relays RL1, RL2, RL3, high voltage relays such as vacuum relays are used.

Hereinafter, a method of supplying power from each of the landing stations A, B, and C to the optical submarine cable using the power supply path switching circuit of this embodiment will be described as a third method.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), when no power is supplied, the contacts rl1, rl2, rl3 of the relays RL1, RL2, RL3 connect the connection terminals and the relay coils. Therefore, when no power is supplied, all power supply paths are insulated from seawater, and thus have an advantageous configuration for performing a DC insulation resistance test.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), power is supplied between the landing station A and the landing station B, a current is supplied in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the relay RL2 is energized by the sled. As a result, a feeding path for feeding power at both ends is formed between the landing station A and the landing station B. Further, by the energization of the relay RL2, the switching contact rl2 switches so that the connection terminal T3 (that is, the power supply path of the optical submarine cable from the landing station C) is grounded to the underwater earth.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), power is supplied from the landing station C, and one-sided power is supplied to the optical submarine cable on the landing station C side using an underwater earth.

Since the device of this embodiment has a symmetrical Y-shaped circuit configuration, there are three types of power supply paths that can be set at normal times, as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the landing station A (positive current) and the landing station B
(Negative current) between both ends of power supply and one-end current at landing station C (negative current), landing station B as shown in FIG.
(Positive current) and landing station C (negative current), both ends are fed, one-end current is supplied to landing station A (negative current), and as shown in FIG. (Positive current) and Landing Station A
(Negative current), and both ends are fed at the landing station B (negative current).

Therefore, in the apparatus of this embodiment, even if a fault occurs in any of the three optical submarine cables, the faulty optical submarine cable is disconnected from the Y-shaped power supply line, and the remaining optical submarine cable is disconnected.
It is possible to feed power at both ends between two optical submarine cables.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In the apparatus of FIG. 2 described above, when a fault occurs in the power supply line at both ends, the energization of the relays on the power supply line at both ends in the power supply line switching circuit is stopped. Switching contact returns from the ground side to the relay coil side. That is, the remaining one-end power supply path is switched due to the failure of the both-end power supply path. The apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is designed to prevent such a change of the power supply path.

That is, the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has relays RL4, RL5, RL6 for self-holding the ground path on each of the electric paths I, II, and III, as compared with the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. Where relay R
L4 has a relay coil disposed in a path between the switching contact rl1 and the ground in the electric path II, and its make contact rl5-2 is inserted in parallel with the make contact side of the switching contact rl1 as a contact forming a self-holding circuit; The break contact is inserted between the switching contact rl1 and the relay coil RL2.

The other self-holding relays RL5 and RL6 have the same configuration in the electric paths III and I, respectively. These relays RL4 to RL6 are driven only when an operating current flows in a direction indicated by an arrow in the drawing.

As described above, these relays RL4, RL5, and RL6 are used to prevent the power supply line from being switched in the event of a failure in the optical submarine cable that supplies power at both ends during operation. The break contact is a contact for holding, and the break contact is a contact to prevent the switching contact from being damaged by arc discharge generated at the contact when the switching contact returns to the relay coil side, and the switching contact breaks during self-holding of the relay The contacts are separated from the relay coil side. The relay having such a function is disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A-63-18.
It is also described in 9025 and the like.

The power supply path setting procedure by the apparatus of FIG. 5 is the same as that of the apparatus of FIG. That is, the sixth
As shown in Fig. (A), when no power is supplied, relays RL1 and RL
2.Switching contacts rl1, rl2, rl3 of RL3 are connected to the relay coil side, and make-up contacts of self-holding relays RL4, RL5, RL6 are open, so all power supply lines are insulated from seawater. It is in.

First, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), power is supplied to both ends between the landing station A and the landing station B, thereby driving the relay RL2 to supply the optical submarine cable feeding path to the landing station C. Ground to underwater earth. Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), one-end power is supplied from the landing station C to energize the relay RL5, close the self-holding make contact rl5-2, and break the contact rl5-. Open 1.

When the self-holding circuit is formed by the relay RL5 in this manner, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a failure occurs in the optical submarine cable on the landing station A side, the relay RL2 is deactivated, and the switching contact rl2 When the relay RL5 is disconnected from the ground side, the relay RL5 continues to be energized via its own make contact rl5-2, so that the break contact rl5-1 of the relay RL5 is connected between the relay coil RL3 and the landing station C. By continuing to disconnect the optical submarine cable, it is possible to prevent the feeder on the landing station C side from being switched due to the optical submarine cable failure on the landing station A side. Thus, it is possible to prevent the contacts from being damaged by the arc discharge.

FIG. 8 shows three types of power supply lines that can be set during normal operation of the apparatus in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), both ends are fed between the landing stations A and B, and one end is fed at the landing station C. As shown in FIG. 8C, one-sided power supply at the landing station A, one-sided power supply between the landing stations C and A, and one-sided power supply at the landing station B as shown in FIG. 3
One.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs from the embodiment of FIG. 5 in that the self-holding relay RL6 for the landing station A is eliminated, thereby reducing the number of parts. The procedure for setting the power supply path of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the aforementioned embodiment. In the case of a configuration like the apparatus of the embodiment in FIG. 9, the power supply path set at the normal time has two types by changing the positive and negative polarities of the power supply apparatus of each landing station. That is, both ends are fed between the landing station A (positive current) and the landing station B (negative current), and one end is fed at the landing station C (negative current). Feed both ends between stations A (negative current),
This is a form of one-sided feeding at the landing station B (negative current).

Even in the case of the apparatus of FIG. 9, even if there is a failure in any of the three optical submarine cables, power can be supplied to both ends by the remaining two optical submarine cables. For example, if a failure occurs in the optical submarine cable on the landing station A side,
Power supply from all landing stations is temporarily stopped, and then landing station B
(Positive current) and landing station C (negative current)
Thereby, the relay RL3 is energized, and the optical submarine cable on the side of the landing station A having the fault is disconnected from the power supply line by the switching contact rl3.

In each of the above embodiments, power is supplied to the optical repeater attached to each optical submarine cable via the power supply path of the optical submarine cable. It is also possible to supply power to the power supply section of the optical fiber circuit of the underwater branching device using this power supply line in order to switch the optical fiber transmission line in the undersea branching device and supply power to the relay circuit in the device. FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration in that case. In this embodiment, a power supply circuit for an optical fiber circuit is attached to the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and a power supply circuit PS for an optical fiber circuit is connected to a connection point of electric paths I, II, and III connected in a Y-shape. Place. This optical fiber circuit power supply circuit PS is composed of four diodes D1, D2, D3, and D4 connected on a ring and an optical fiber circuit power supply unit PW.
It is configured to flow to the power supply unit PW of the optical fiber circuit via the diode. The power supply circuit for an optical fiber circuit has a configuration in which power can always be supplied to the optical fiber circuit power supply unit PW regardless of how the power supply path of the power supply path switching circuit is switched in three directions.

FIG. 11 shows the overall configuration of an optical submarine cable communication system using the apparatus of FIG. Here, the optical submarine cables branched by the underwater branching unit BU are landing stations A and A, respectively.
The power supply devices of the landing stations A, B, and C, which are connected to B and C, have a function of reversing the power supply polarity. FIG. 12 shows a configuration in which an optical fiber circuit power supply circuit PS is added to the undersea branching unit BU in the optical submarine cable communication system shown in FIG. The operation of these systems is the same as that described for the FIG. 5 apparatus.

Similarly, FIG. 13 shows an entire configuration of an optical submarine cable communication system using the apparatus of FIG. 9, and FIG. 14 shows a configuration in which a feeder circuit PS for an optical fiber circuit is added to the system of FIG. Is shown. The operation of these systems is the same as that described for the FIG. 9 apparatus.

FIG. 15 shows an optical submarine cable communication system in which an optical submarine cable is branched using two submarine branching devices BU1 and BU2 so that communication can be performed between four landing stations A, B, C and D. Is shown. Here, the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is used as a power supply line switching circuit of each of the undersea branching devices BU1 and BU2. Between the undersea branching devices BU1 and BU2, terminals having no relay for self-holding are connected by an optical submarine cable. Of course, as shown in FIG. 16, it is also possible to add a power supply circuit for an optical fiber circuit to each of the undersea branching devices BU1 and BU2 of the FIG. 15 system.

As a power supply path setting procedure in this power supply system, first, power is supplied to both ends between the landing station A (positive current) and the landing station C (negative current), and the relay RL1 of the undersea branching unit BU2 and the undersea branching unit are supplied.
BU1 relay RL2 is energized, thereby grounding the optical submarine cable feeder from landing station B undersea at BU2 and the optical submarine cable feeder from landing station D at subsea BU1. Underwater grounding is performed, and then one-sided power is supplied from each of the landing stations B and D.

FIG. 17 shows a power supply path that can be set in a normal state and at the time of a failure in the system shown in FIG. 15 or FIG. No.
In Fig. 17, (a) and (b) are feed lines that can be set at normal times, (c) to (g) are feed lines that can be set at the time of cable failure, and optical submarine cables that can be fed are indicated by solid lines. ,
The arrow indicates the power supply direction. Optical submarine cables that are unusable due to obstruction are indicated by dotted lines.

First, as a power supply path that can be set at the normal time, two-sided power supply between the landing stations A and C and one-sided power supply at the landing stations B and C shown in FIG. 2) Both ends are fed between landing stations D and B, and one end is fed at landing stations A and C, respectively.

In the event that the optical submarine cable from the landing station C or the optical submarine cable from the landing station A has a fault, the feeder is connected to the feeder as shown in Fig. 17 (c) or (f). Switch. That is, power is supplied to both ends between the landing station D and the landing station B, and one end is supplied to the remaining landing stations B or C.

If a failure occurs in the optical submarine cable on the landing station D side or the optical submarine cable from the landing station B, the failure occurs between the landing stations A and C as shown in FIG. 17 (e) or (d). Both ends are fed, and one end is fed at the remaining landing stations B or D.

If a fault occurs in the optical submarine cable connecting the submarine branching devices BU1 and BU2, as shown in FIG. 17 (g), the connection between the landing stations B and A and between the landing stations C and D Both sides supply power.

As described above, according to the system of the embodiment, even if a fault occurs in any of the optical submarine cables, it is possible to switch the power supply path so that the power supply path at both ends is formed using the remaining optical submarine cables. is there.

In addition, as in the above-described embodiment, when a power supply path is formed using two or more underwater branching devices, two or more relays of different underwater branching devices are inserted on both end power supply lines, In such a case, in order to prevent hot switching of the relays, the relays are set so that their operation currents (sensing currents) are different from each other. That is, when driving the relay of the undersea branching device, when the contact is switched to the ground side, if the ground potential of the contact is large, the potential difference may damage the relay contact at the time of switching.

In order to prevent this damage, it is necessary to make the ground potential of the power supply line of the undersea branching device zero when driving the relay. For example, when supplying power between the two landing stations at both ends of the main optical submarine cable that supplies power at both ends, the two landing stations consider their supply voltage in consideration of the voltage drop in the optical submarine cable. In addition, while adjusting the voltage value to an appropriate value so that the supply potential becomes zero in the undersea branching device, if there are two undersea branching devices as in the system of FIG. Underwater branching equipment BU
1, BU2 cannot be set to zero at the same time.

Therefore, it is now assumed that a feeder at both ends is formed between the landing stations A and C, and the operating currents of the relay RL1 of the undersea branching device BU2 and the relay RL2 of the undersea branching device BU1 on both ends of the feeding are set to different values. Keep it. For example, relay coil RL2
Is set smaller than the operating current of relay coil RL1. When supplying power between the landing stations A and C, first adjust the power supply voltages of the landing stations A and C so that the ground potential of the feeding path in the underwater branching device BU1 becomes zero.
In addition, a current having a magnitude corresponding to the operating current of the relay coil RL2 flows as the supply current. As a result, the relay RL2 of the underwater branching device BU1 operates, but the relay RL1 of the undersea branching device BU2 operates.
Does not operate with the supplied current at that time because the operating current is larger than relay RL2. Therefore, undersea branching equipment BU2
The ground potential of the feed line at this time is not zero, but the relay
Since the RL1 is not operating, the switching contact rl1 is not damaged.

After operating the relay RL2 of the undersea branching device BU1 in this way, the feeding potentials of the landing stations A and C are adjusted this time so that the ground potential of the feeding path of the undersea branching device BU2 becomes zero. The current having the magnitude of the operation current of the relay coil RL1 is supplied as the supply current. This enables the BU
The second relay RL1 is operated. As described above, hot switching of the relays of the underwater branching devices BU1 and BU2 can be prevented.

If the operating currents of the relays of the submarine branching devices entering the feeder at both ends are made different in this way, the number of submarine branching devices is further increased, and the power supply for the optical submarine cable communication system for communicating between a larger number of landing stations is further increased. A circuit can be constructed.

In the above embodiment, a mechanical contact relay such as a vacuum relay was used as a relay of the undersea branching device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a non-contact relay such as a solid state relay was used. It may be something. In this case, a semiconductor switch is used in place of the switching contact or the make / brate switching contact.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, even if any submarine cable failure connected to the undersea branching device occurs, a power supply path is formed between the remaining submarine cables to restore communication. In addition, the set power supply path always includes a highly reliable both-end power supply path. The power supply setting procedure is relatively simple, and is substantially the same as the power supply switching procedure currently in practical use. Further, when a self-holding circuit is added to the power supply line switching circuit, even if a failure occurs in the submarine cable during operation, the already set power supply line does not change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a diagram illustrating the principle according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a power supply line switching circuit of an underwater branching device as one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a power supply setting procedure of the device in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of various power supply lines that can be set in the apparatus of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a power supply line switching circuit of an underwater branching device as another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a power supply setting procedure of the apparatus of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the self-holding relay added in the apparatus of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of various power supply paths that can be set by the apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a power supply path switching circuit of a submarine branching apparatus as still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 11 shows still another embodiment in which a feeder circuit for an optical fiber circuit is added to the apparatus. FIG. 11 shows an optical submarine cable using the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a communication system. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an optical submarine cable communication system in which a feeder circuit for an optical fiber circuit is added to the undersea branching device of the system in FIG. 11, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an entire configuration of an optical submarine cable communication system using the apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an optical submarine cable communication system in which a feeder circuit for an optical fiber circuit is added to the undersea branching device of FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an optical submarine cable communication system in which the number of landing stations is increased by using two units of the embodiment of FIG. 9, and FIG. 16 is an undersea branching device of the system of FIG. Fig. 17 shows an optical submarine cable communication system in which a power supply circuit for an optical fiber circuit is added to Fig. 17; Fig. 17 shows various power supply paths that can be set in the system of Fig. 15 or Fig. 16; Diagram explaining the method, Fig. 19 FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic configuration of an undersea branching device, FIG. 20 illustrates various configurations of an optical fiber circuit of the undersea branching device, and FIGS. 22 to 24. The figures each show a conventional example of a feed line switching circuit of an optical submarine cable communication system for performing communication between three or more landing stations. In the figure, RL1 to RL6 ... relays (or relay coils) rl1 to rl6 ... relay contacts BU, BU1, BU2 ... undersea branching devices A, B, C, D ... landing stations

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04B 3/44 H04B 9/00

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] The first, second and third electric paths (101, 102, 10)
1), 2nd, 3rd connection terminals (104, 1) for connecting the 3) in a Y-shape and connecting the ends to the feeder of the submarine cable.
05, 106), the first relay (107), the driving unit (107L) of which is disposed in the first electric path (101), and the switching unit thereof. (107C) disconnects the second connection terminal (105) from the second electric path (102) and grounds it; and a second relay (108) whose drive section (108L) is A third relay (109) which is disposed on the second electric path (102) and whose switching unit (108C) disconnects the third connection terminal (106) from the third electric path (103) to ground. ), The driving section (109L) is disposed on the third electric path (103), and the switching section (109C) connects the first connection terminal (104) from the first electric path (101). An operating current of the first, second, and third relays (107, 108, 109) viewed from a connection point of the Y-shaped electric paths (101, 102, 103). Feed line switching circuit underwater branching device direction is in the same direction. 2. A fourth relay (110) having a drive section (110L) connected to a first relay (1) in the second electric path (102).
07) is disposed on the ground path between the switching unit (107L) and the ground, and the first switch unit (110C) forms a self-holding circuit; and the fifth relay (111), the driving unit (111L) is disposed on the ground path between the switching section (108L) of the second relay (108) and the ground in the third electric path (103), and the first switch section (111C) is self-holding. The power supply line switching circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit. 3. A sixth relay (112), the driving part (112L) of which is connected to a third relay (1) in the first electric path (101).
The power supply line of the underwater branching device according to claim 2, further comprising a switch disposed on a ground path between the switching unit (109L) and the ground, the first switch unit (112C) forming a self-holding circuit. Switching circuit. 4. The fourth relay (110) includes a first switch section (110C), a second electric path, a drive section (108L) for the second relay (108) and a relay (107). A second switch section (110CC) that opens between the switching sections (107C) of the first and second switching sections (107C), and the fifth relay (111) is connected to a third electric path at the same time as the first switch section (111C). 3. The underwater branching device according to claim 2, further comprising a second switch unit (111CC) that opens between a driving unit of the third relay (109) and a switching unit (108C) of the relay (108). circuit. 5. The sixth relay (112) is connected to the first switch section (112C) and the first electrical path at the same time as the driving section (107L) of the first relay (107) and the relay (109). 4. The power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branching device according to claim 3, further comprising a second switch unit (112CC) opened between the switching units (109C). 6. A power supply method in a submarine cable communication system in which three or more landing stations are connected by branching a submarine cable using an undersea branching device, wherein each of the landing stations has a feeding polarity switching mechanism. The power supply line switching circuit of the undersea branching device is the one according to claim 1, 3, or 5, and the first, second, and third connection terminals (10
4, 105, 106), by supplying power at both ends between the landing stations connected to any two connection terminals, and then supplying one-end power at the landing station connected to the remaining one connection terminal. A power supply method for a submarine cable communication system that forms a power supply path. 7. The submarine cable is branched by an undersea branching device and
In the above power feeding method in a submarine cable communication system connecting landing stations, the power feeding device of each landing station has a feeding polarity switching mechanism, and is used as a feeding line switching circuit of the undersea branch device.
The first and second connection terminals (104, 105) of the power supply line switching device are used.
Between the landing stations or the first and third connection terminals (10
After feeding both ends between the landing stations connected to 4, 106), one-end feeding is performed at the landing station connected to the remaining one connection terminal to form a feeding path and feed both ends. If a fault occurs in the feeder between the landing stations, the two ends of the feeder are connected between the landing stations connected to the remaining two connection terminals other than the connection terminal connected to the faulty feeder. A power supply method for a submarine cable communication system that forms a power supply path while disconnecting a faulty power supply path. 8. A power supply method in a submarine cable communication system in which a submarine cable is branched by two or more undersea branching devices to connect four or more landing stations, wherein each of the landing stations has a power supply polarity switching mechanism. The power supply line switching circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is used as a power supply line switching circuit of an undersea branching device, wherein a plurality of power supply line switching circuits are connected via a submarine cable connected to a first connection terminal (104). Is used as a main feed line, and after both ends are fed between two landing stations connected via the main feed line, one end is fed from another landing station to form a feed line. Power supply method for submarine cable communication system. 9. The power supply method for a submarine cable communication system according to claim 8, wherein the first relay and the second or third relay of the plurality of power supply line switching circuits are set to have different operating currents, respectively. A power supply method for a submarine cable communication system in which a power supply current flowing through the main power supply line is changed to sequentially drive a first relay and a second or third relay of each power supply line switching circuit. 10. The power supply line switching circuit according to claim 8, wherein the power supply line switching circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a power supply line switching circuit having another circuit configuration. And a power supply method for a submarine cable communication system that forms a power supply path using the method.